1 Serial No. 04 Regular List HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA AT SHILLONG Crl.M.C. No. 141 of 2026 Date of Decision: 20.07.2026 Shri. Budning Marngar S/o – (L) Khringshon Khardewsaw R/o-Umjaru Village P.S.-Mawshynrut West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya .…Appellant/Accused Person - Versus - 1. The State of Meghalaya Represented by Public Prosecutor 2. Miss XXX D/o-YYY Village-Umjaru, P.S.- Nongstoin West Khasi Hills District Meghalaya. …… Opposite Parties Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge Hon’ble Mr. Justice B. Bhattacharjee, Judge Appearance: For the Petitioner/Appellant(s) : Ms. A. Surana, Legal Aid Counsel For the Respondent(s) : Mr. A.S. Dey, GA i) Whether approved for reporting in Yes/No Law journals etc.: ii) Whether approved for publication in press: Yes/No ORDER (ORAL) 1. Heard Ms. A. Surana, learned Legal Aid Counsel for the applicant who has submitted that this is an application for condonation of delay of 2026:MLHC:741-DB 2026:MLHC:741-DB 2 665 days in preferring an appeal being aggrieved by the judgment and order dated 18.07.2024 passed by the learned Special Judge (POCSO), West Khasi Hills District, Nongstoin, in Special POCSO Case No. 18 of 2021. 2. The applicant being an illiterate person more so of any legal procedures and as the applicant belongs to a poor background, he was not able to engage a counsel for his defence leading to the delay in preferring the appeal. The learned Legal Aid Counsel therefore prays that the delay of 665 in preferring the appeal may be condoned. 3. Mr. A.S. Dey, learned GA appears for the State respondent and has no objection to the prayer made. 4. We have considered the submission made by the parties and find that sufficient grounds have been shown for the delay to be condoned. 5. Accordingly, the delay of 665 days in preferring the related appeal is hereby condoned. 6. Registry to diarize the appeal and list the same for admission after 1(one) week. 7. Crl. Misc. Case is disposed of. (B. Bhattacharjee) (W. Diengdoh) Judge Judge Meghalaya 20.07.2026 “Tiprilynti–PS” 2026:MLHC:741-DB 2026:MLHC:741-DB Digitally signed by TIPRILYNTI KHARKONGOR Date: 2026.07.20 17:32:23 IST